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Showcase of woodcarvers

Laura Fraser demonstrates wood carving at a Spit-n-Whittle event of the Quil Ceda Carvers. She is the featured carver at this year’s “Artistry in Wood” show at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe April 19 and 20.

— image credit: Courtesy Quil Ceda Carvers

A wood-carving teacher at the Ken Baxter Community Center, Laura Fraser is the featured carver at the 23rd annual Artistry in Wood Carving Show presented by the Quilceda Carvers April 19 and 20.

A protegé of Quilceda Carver's Larry Carter, Fraser has been carving since 1996. She is a former surfer born in San Luis Obisbo, Calif. and a champion sharp shooter on an Army pistol team, as well as mother of three children and grandmother to four grandchildren.

Fraser said her favorites are carving in-the-round. She carves mirror frames, spoons and whimsical bark houses as well as santas.

Along with teaching in Marysville, she also teaches at senior centers in Snohomish and Monroe and has taught at Lake Stevens in the past and she teaches carving to groups of 4-H kids, ages 9-17.

An active volunteer with the carvers, Fraser is treasurer of the Quilceda Carvers and helps plan and teaches at the Spit-n-Whittle event every year.

Every year she donates many of her carvings to the club's raffles.

Beyond woodcarving, Fraser is a volunteer board member at the Snohomish Senior Center and she has been a steady helper at a children's burn center for more than 20 years.

Fraser has won ribbons at events in Puyallup, Spokane and British Columbia as well as at former Artistry in Wood shows. Fraser attributes her inspiration to both Carter and Jim Nelson.

"Jim taught me how to clean up my carvings without doing so much sanding," she said.

On Artistry in Wood

In addition to the juried art show with entries from across the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, the event also includes vendors, demonstrations and an ongoing "Hands on Carving Corner" with teachers available all day. For a $5 donation, visitors receive a blank and two hours of instruction by experienced carvers on basic cuts and techniques.

Awards are presented in many categories including the Most Versatile Carver and the annual theme award, with $50 cash prizes for each.

The show is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday.

Wood carvers may register at the door from 1 - 8 p.m., Friday, April 18 and from 7 - 9 a.m. Saturday, April 19.

Admission is by $3 donation. Children under 12 are free.

The show is located in the Pavilion at Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Building 600 in Monroe.

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